Friday, August 20, 2010

Empty Shoes

Most every day I come home and open my garage door to find this…



Shoes lined up in every direction, making the short walk from my driveway to the back door a bit of a challenge.

I have yelled, I have threatened, I have screamed and I have picked them up more times than I am willing to admit!

NO MATTER what, I still find them in this position most every day.

If I’m being honest, I’d have to admit…I get so angry every time I see them. I have bought shoe bins, shoe bags, and shoe shelves and NOTHING, I mean nothing, works with this family of mine. LOL!

Last week, as I returned home and opened the garage door I, once again, saw my welcome home shoe banner.

I stopped and stood there…looking at each pair.

Cowboy boots, size 14, belong to hubby. We had the best night out looking for the perfect pair and we found them…and here they are…here on the floor.

I see the water shoes Jacob wears. His tender feet need a little help on our days at the pool. His first pair of ‘high dollar' sandals are close by as well…lol! We made this purchase proudly; after all, my baby needs the best for his little feet. Not to mention his pacing can wear out a pair of shoes faster than you would believe. :)

I remember hearing the Doctor say, “he’ll never walk,” and then I see both pair... here on the floor and my heart is filled with joy and I am overwhelmed.

My oldest, home from college, has the most I think. All types too...flip flops, slip-ons, black ones and brown ones. As I look at each pair, I realize...these shoes have traveled around the world, covering the feet of one who brings good news…our Josh, the missionary. My heart fills with love and pride as they all lay here, here on the floor.

In the middle of the boy’s sea of shoes, I spot my little girl’s. One pair! She, like her mom, puts things where they belong (most of the time anyway). Standing there in my garage, I think of how these shoes will walk the halls of high school for the very first time, in just a few days…and my heart *sighs*.

One day my kids will have their own garage and their empty shoes will no longer create a path (or obstacle course) from my driveway to my back door.

How will I feel when that day comes? When I arrive home, and there is no 'banner' of empty shoes to greet me? Part of me might be happy, but most of me will be sad.

These empty shoes that once made such an awful mess and made me angry suddenly became a beautiful mess that makes my heart smile.

So...today if you come home and find a path of empty shoes...look a little closer and you'll see, not the empty shoes...but the ones who wear them.

I hope your heart smiles today and that you’re able to find the beauty in your mess.
Steph

24 comments:

  1. I really enjoy this capture! Thank you for sharing, I look forward to reading more of your posts!

    (Here via icomleavewe.) Now following your blog from http://meanttobemama.blogspot.com!

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  2. What a beautiful post and photo too...

    Happy ICLW!
    - Jess (#74)

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  3. Beaut post.

    Quick way to get them to take care of their shoes, bin them all, make em walk around barefoot, bet they'd soon put their shoes away!

    [This of course wouldn't work for me because I don't wear shoes if I don't have to lol]


    ICLW
    #56 Miss Ruby
    http://www.themissruby.blogspot.com/

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  4. Welcome to my blog...thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.

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  5. Love this post; I need to remind myself of the blessing of kitchen mess, laundry mess, living room mess....!

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  6. What a lovely post... A great way to look at things!

    ICLW

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  7. Awww...this was so sweet. I've done this kind of thing before and just decided to let it go. Sigh. :)

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  8. I love this post! So touching! I know what you mean by finding beauty in messes- I just recently wrote a post about this and my sons not too long ago. It's hard to do, but once you do it is so beautiful and easy!

    Happy IComLeavWe!
    <3MaryAnne #135

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  9. Did you find my flip-flops yet? :-)

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  10. This is a beautiful post and I love the photo. :)

    ICLW

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  11. What a wonderful post!!! I love it! Thanks for the reminder. :) Happy ICLW!!!

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  12. I love this post! So true that those little things that irritate us are usually the same things that can bring a smile to our faces.

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  13. What a great message--stepping back to find the beauty in the mess that normally drives us crazy!

    ICLW

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  14. Oh, and I love, love, LOVE this post! And because I KNOW you and recently spent 3 weeks at your house, I know this scene is not staged...lol! Your family and their shoes and one awesome way to look at it. That's why ily!
    Hope you got thru today ok.

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  15. Oh how my heart was right in tune with yours as I read each word and savored that picture....a picture that is reproduced in our mudroom each day, and as you have, I've tried it all, and to no avail the floor is the welcomed recipient of each shoe. Thank you for the reminder to not look at the shoes but reflect on the beautiful child whose feet carry these shoes each and every day. How precious they are....even if they can't put their shoes away! Love your words and your heart. :)

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  16. What a great post! As the mom of an almost 4 yr old and a 2.5 yr old, I often need a remember to "not sweat the small stuff" and appreciate the moment before it passes me by.

    Happy ICLW!

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  17. Thanks for the lovely post.

    Reminds me to cherish my four year old and all of her shoes!

    (which aren't only in one place by the door!)

    My first time with ICLW and loving it.

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  18. I think that this is a beautiful post. I am glad that you could see the positive and cherish the "mess". Happy ICLW!

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  19. What a beautiful message to arise from something so 'everyday'. We all need to stop and think on the beauty in our lives, even when we don't feel like it. Everything can have a beautiful message within it, even a pile of shoes :)

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  20. what a sweet post. happy iclw!

    #171

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  21. sometimes you just can't win. at least you are starting to accept that :) Good luck and thanks for your comment. ICLW#43

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  22. Just checking in on you, my new blogger friend and fellow 'special' mom. Hope you didn't fall and get lost among the shoes! ;)

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  23. Just checking in. Hope you are doing well. Miss hearing from your heart.
    Much love,
    Stacy

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  24. Just checking in to see how you are doing? It has been a long time....praying you are ok.

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